Liverpool will be without striker Daniel Sturridge who is still recovering from a calf problem that is also likely to force him to miss their trip to Real Madrid in the Champions League and next weekend’s clash with Chelsea at Anfield.

Meanwhile, Newcastle approach the game with their confidence restored after three successive victories that have tempered the criticism of their manager Alan Pardew.

Pardew looked certain to be dismissed only a month ago, but an impressive sequence of results in October have made his position secure, at least for the time being — although the 53-year-old seems reluctant to take credit for the transformation.

“I don’t think it’s that important, if I’m honest,” he said.

“What is important is that we’re winning games again and that’s what the fans want to see.

“I think we have a group that could excite them this year. There is a lot of pace in the squad and it’s about getting it on the pitch and using it in the right manner, which we are doing at the moment.

“It’s a nice transitional period for us. We have had a couple of very good teams here in my time, but last year it kind of fell away for us and we are trying to build a new side.

“It takes time to bed in, but we are starting to find our feet.”

Pardew will give a fitness test to striker Papiss Cisse (knee)and midfielder Cheick Tiote (shin), while defender Davide Santon (knee) and midfielder Siem de Jong (thigh) are still some way short of a return- AFP